Having a cold may seem like a nightmare to many people, and a stuffy nose makes everything worse. The inability to breathe properly and freely can greatly impact your day and leave you wondering ‘how to open blocked nose?’
Although rest is extremely important in recovering from a cold (the most common cause of nasal congestion), resting alone may not be enough always. Besides, nowadays people lead busy lives and staying at home can cause you to fall back on work or miss out on important events. Blocked nose remedies mentioned here can work well for people with a stuffy nose.
Causes of a stuffy nose
A stuffy nose is generally caused by mucus accumulation or inflammation of the blood vessels in the sinuses; some common ones are listed below:
- Viral infection, such as the common cold
- Sinusitis
- Rhinitis (including the allergic type)
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
It is better to try some blocked nose home remedies first, before going to the doctors if the symptoms are not too severe.
How to get rid of stuffy nose at home?
Numerous medicines are available for supportive care during a cold, but you can avoid consuming medicines with the help of blocked nose remedies at home. Listed below are some home remedies for nose block that can help you breathe better during a cold:
1. Inhale Steam
If you are wondering ‘how to open blocked nose instantly,’ you can try inhaling steam either through a steamer or by pouring hot water in a bowl and using that instead; it is better to cover your head with a towel to trap the steam. People have been using steam as a blocked nose home remedy for ages. Adding some over-the-counter decongestants to the hot water can also help in clearing the mucus.
You can use a humidifier as well in your office or bedroom so that your nasal cavity doesn’t dry up and avoid clogging.
2. Perform neti or nasal rinsing
This is one of the best remedies for clearing nose blocks from Ayurveda. The remedy requires a neti pot or something to replace it; one can easily get a neti pot online. To do a nasal rinse, you have to prepare a saline solution by boiling about 250 mL water for about 15 minutes in a covered pot, set it aside for a while, and add half a teaspoon of table salt in the water when it’s at room temperature and stir. Then, the saline solution can be used in a neti pot to clear the nose blockage.
To do this, go over the sink and tilt your head sideways so that it becomes parallel to the ground. Then place the neck of the neti pot inside your upper nostril and let the water pour out from the lower nostril. Repeat this action on the other side. Make sure to keep breathing through the mouth during this process. Although nasal rinsing is very effective, it takes some practice, so don’t give up on the first try.
3. Take a hot shower
The blocked nose remedy works similar to inhaling steam. A hot shower before bedtime or in the mornings can help with congestion during cold. Steam from the hot shower accumulates in the bathroom and creates a humid environment; taking deep breaths during a hot shower can loosen the mucus and clear sinuses.
4. Aromatherapy with essential oils
Essential oils such as eucalyptus, thyme oil, and pine oil (in addition to camphor and menthol) have nasal decongestant, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory properties among other benefits. Using these in steam inhalers, diffusers, and handkerchiefs is a great home remedy for stuffy nose. One can use grapefruit extract in steam inhalers as well.
5. Drink ginger tea
Ginger has natural decongestant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used in home remedies for clogged nose–drink ginger tea three times a day for better results. To prepare ginger tea, one can boil a glass of water with freshly pound/grated ginger and reduce it to a cup of tea. Adding honey to this beverage is recommended for better taste and a boost of anti-oxidants. This beverage will also help in soothing a sore throat.
6. Warm compress
Using a warm compress during a cold can help alleviate the discomfort caused by nasal congestion. To perform this, you have to simply dip a towel in warm water and place it over your nose and forehead after wringing it. You can get a ready-to-use hot compress as well. Doing this can reduce any swelling and help in clearing the nasal passage.
7. Drink black pepper and honey in warm water
Among all spices, black pepper is deemed quite effective in relieving nasal congestion. Simply mix one tablespoon of black pepper and one tablespoon of honey in a glass of water and let it simmer for a while. Drink this potent beverage to alleviate symptoms of a stuffy nose.
8. Drink apple cider vinegar with warm water
Prepare a mix of 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 3 cups of warm water and drink this thrice a day to help with blocked nose. The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of apple cider vinegar can also help the body combat the infection quickly.
9. Use nasal breathing strips
Apart from going out, you can wear nasal breath strips throughout the day to help you breathe easily by lifting the sides of the nose. This may also help in clearing out the mucus blocking the nose in a while.
10. Elevate your head while sleeping
This is another efficient blocked nose home remedy that can alleviate symptoms of stuffy nose. Elevating your head while you sleep can also help the mucus drain out from the back of your nose and improve the quality of your sleep. Doing this can help you breathe better at night and wake up feeling a little less stuffy. It is recommended that you lie flat on the back and use an additional pillow at night to keep the head above your heart during sleep.
You can try the home remedies for nose block listed above and reduce the nasal congestion from the comfort of your home. It is important to note that taking over-the-counter medicines, such as decongestants, antihistamines, etc., after consulting your doctor or repeating the prescription from an earlier consultation can help with fast recovery.
Takeaway
Numerous home remedies are available to help you relax and recover fast, including nasal rinsing, steam inhalation, ginger tea, aromatherapy with eucalyptus oil. It is also important to keep yourself hydrated during a cold. Proper hydration is helpful in recovering fast from an infection. Consider adding juices, soups, etc., in your diet. Although there is not enough scientific evidence to back the direct correlation between drinking enough fluids and nasal decongestant, it is still recommended.
Please note that home remedies for blocked nose offer supportive care and do not work well for people who have severe symptoms. So, if you are facing extreme difficulties due to the nasal congestion, it is better to consult a doctor and get medical attention then delay the visit by trying home remedies.
